Author Archives: Kathryn Dube

CPES Policy Committee Update: March 17, 2020

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals Committee or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • PURA Directs Utilities to Cease Residential Shut-Offs During COVID-19 Outbreak
  • PURA’s 2020 Report to the General Assembly Regarding the CT Electric Efficiency Partners Program
  • Connecticut Cities, Solar Installers Locked in Legal Fight Over Property Taxes
  • Solar and Wind Power are Pushing Down Electricity Prices in New England, but Carbon Fuels Still Dominate          
  • 2020 Legislative Session Update
  • Sens. Manchin, Murkowski introduce American Energy Innovation Act
  • ISO-NE Releases the 2020 Regional Electricity Outlook: The Road to a Clean Energy Future
  • ISO’s Final Draft 2020 10-yr Forecasts for Heating Electrification and EVs
  • New England Sees Back-to-Back Afternoon Demand Lows 

CONNECTICUT

PURA Directs Utilities to Cease Residential Shut-Offs During COVID-19 Outbreak
Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) announced that it issued a ruling directing all regulated electric, natural gas, and water companies in the state to cease residential service terminations for non-payment as a protective measure during the current public health emergency. Docket 20-03-15 

PURA Publishes the 2020 Report to the General Assembly Regarding the CT Electric Efficiency Partners Program

Connecticut Cities, Solar Installers Locked in Legal Fight Over Property Taxes
At least 15 municipalities in Connecticut are locked in court battles with solar companies who say they are wrongfully taxing residential solar installations. Since 2017, nearly 200 lawsuits involving hundreds of properties around the state have been filed in the state Superior Court. At the root of the challenges is a state statute granting a property tax exemption to renewable energy sources that generate electricity for “private residential use.” A

Solar and Wind Power are Pushing Down Electricity Prices in New England, but Carbon Fuels Still Dominate
Renewable energy is beginning to have an impact where it counts, in the cost of electricity, as generators pledge to sell power to the New England grid at prices that keep falling and will be down more than 70% over four years by 2023. As a result, consumers will likely pay less, but the dollar impact on electricity bills is not known because utilities will factor the costs differently in rates.

2020 Legislative Session
The state Capitol is currently closed due to COVID-19.  There is no information on how the extended closing will impact the legislative session or the legislative process. Legislative leaders plan to revisit the decision as they receive additional information. Information will be shared as it becomes available. COVID-19 updates are available here.

Energy and Technology Committee
March 5th Public Hearing: The agenda included the Governor’s bill, SB 10, which codifies the Governor’s Executive Order No. 3 to require a statewide zero carbon electric sector by 2040. The Committee has made electricity storage a priority this session. HB 5351 encourages 1,000 MW of storage by December 31, 2030 and shares similar language regarding storage with the Governor’s bill, SB 10. HB 5350, which concerns natural gas infrastructure connectivity, gained a lot of traction during Thursday’s public hearing. This bill, which has been referred to as “the gas bill,” repeals the gas pipeline tax to prevent natural gas expansion in addition to requiring PURA to establish a hurdle-rate utilizing a 25-year payback period to compare revenue requirements of connecting new customers to gas distribution systems. 

February 27th Public Hearing: This hearing was largely focused on the technology side regarding Public, Educational, or Government (PEG) Programming fees, and Net Neutrality. A Distributed Energy Resource bill, which helps the procurement process of natural gas from anaerobic digestion facilities, was discussed. View PURA’s testimony here and DEEP’s testimony here.  An energy efficiency bill also made an appearance again this year. This bill updates energy and water efficiency standards for common household and commercial appliances.

INDUSTRY

Sens. Manchin, Murkowski introduce American Energy Innovation Act
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released on Feb. 27, the text of the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), a compilation of more than 50 energy-related measures individually reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) last year. MORE

ISO-NE Releases the 2020 Regional Electricity Outlook: The Road to a Clean Energy Future
ISO-NE’s annual report looks at the trends affecting New England’s power system and the innovative solutions the ISO is pursuing to ensure reliable electricity for homes and businesses as the region moves along its decarbonization journey. See the press release and the report for more information.

ISO’s Final Draft 2020 10-yr Forecasts for Heating Electrification and EVs
ISO published its first Final Draft 2020 Heating Electrification Forecast and Final Draft 2020 Transportation Electrification Forecast to capture growth in air source heat pumps and light-duty electric vehicles and to quantify resulting increases in grid electricity demand. The ISO forecasts that by 2029 roughly 750,000 air source heat pumps will be installed in New England with a near 600 megawatt (MW) increase in load during the winter months. Light-duty electric vehicles (including cars and light-duty trucks) are estimated to number over 515,000 region-wide, adding up to 400 MW of load a month by the end of 2029. Learn more at ISO’s Newswire.

New England Sees Back-to-Back Afternoon Demand Lows 
February 22 and 23 solar generation lead to a mid-day drop in grid demand followed by a steep evening increase- see the charts and read more at ISO’s website.

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 26, 2020

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals Committee or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • DEEP Integrated Resources Plan Technical Meetings Scheduled
  • Energy & Technology Committee will hold a Public Hearing on 2/27            
  • Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
  • FERC deals blow to New York renewable, storage projects, adding hurdles to NYISO capacity market
  • Final ISO-NE FCA #14 Results Filed with FERC
  • ISO-NE Updates Online FCM Participation Guide
  • HBJ article: Energy-capacity auction results in record low New England price

CONNECTICUT

DEEP Integrated Resources Plan
DEEP is developing a new Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) for the State of Connecticut and will hold a second technical meeting on February 28 at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 at its offices in in New Britain. The purpose of the meeting is to continue the discussion from the January 22, 2020 technical meeting, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of alternative market designs highlighted during the stakeholder process. DEEP is soliciting stakeholder participation in the form of presentations on various alternative market design proposals.

DEEP is also hosting a separate IRP technical meeting to explore a renewable portfolio standard for thermal energy. This technical meeting will be held March 16, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 at its offices in in New Britain to explore issues related to the biodiesel market; biodiesel blending infrastructure; certification mechanisms for biodiesel blending; accounting for greenhouse gas emissions associated with biodiesel use; and alternative mechanisms for the promotion of biodiesel as a thermal fuel.

2020 Legislative Session
The Energy & Technology Committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 27 at 11:00 am in Room 2B of the Legislative Office Bldg  Agenda

Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
For more information on regulatory matters, see the current PURA and Siting Council agendas. This information is updated regularly.

INDUSTRY

FERC deals blow to New York renewable, storage projects, adding hurdles to NYISO capacity market
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved four separate orders to narrow exemptions of buyer-side mitigation (BSM) market rules in the New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO) capacity zones during Thursday’s public meeting, which critics say will stifle the competitiveness of clean energy resources.

Final ISO-NE FCA #14 Results Filed with FERC
ISO New England filed the final Forward Capacity Auction (FCA) #14 results  with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  The finalized results confirm that New England’s annual capacity auction concluded with sufficient resources to meet electricity demand in 2023–2024, and at the lowest price in auction history.

ISO-NE Updates Online FCM Participation Guide
ISO’s Forward Capacity Market (FCM) Participation Guide has been updated to reflect the latest procedures, reference materials, hyperlinks, and terminology.

Hartford Business Journal “Energy-capacity auction results in record low New England price”

CPES Passport Program 2020 (on hold until 2021)

Travel with Connecticut Power and Energy Society through the dinner meetings, conferences, and networking opportunities on the books for 2020 and be eligible to win 4 tickets to a 2021 Hartford Yard Goats game plus $100 stadium cash to spend while you are there!

How to Play:

  • You must be a CPES member to participate.
  • You do NOT need to be a new energy professional to play. 
  • Members will receive one stamp per CPES event attended.
  • In order to qualify for a year-end prize, participants must attend at least two CPES events, two additional NEP events, and one CPES conference. 
  • Please email Kathryn Dube at KDube@ctpower.org to register.

 

 

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 11, 2020

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals Committee or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • Governor Lamont Highlights Climate Change in Legislative Proposals
  • DEEP Announces 3/16 Technical Meeting on Thermal Energy in Renewable Portfolio Standard            
  • 2/11 Energy & Technology Committee Meeting
  • Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
  • ISO-NE’s 2020 Wholesale Market Project Plan Now Available
  • New England’s Forward Capacity Auction Closes with Adequate Power System Resources for 2023-2024
  • Next Consumer Liaison Group Meeting March 12, Woodstock VT

CONNECTICUT

Governor Lamont Highlights Climate Change in Legislative Proposals
On February 5th, Governor Ned Lamont delivered his legislative proposals to lawmakers, including a proposal that recognizes the threat of climate change and takes proactive measures to mitigate it. SB 10

DEEP Announces Technical Meeting on Thermal Energy in Renewable Portfolio Standard            
On March 16, DEEP will hold a technical meeting to discuss the incorporation of recommendations regarding a renewable portfolio standard for thermal energy into the Integrated Resources Plan.  See the notice here.

2020 Legislative Session
The 2020 Legislative Session convened on February 5th. 
The Energy & Technology Committee will hold their first Committee Meeting on Tuesday. February 11th at 11:30am in Rm 1D of the LOB. 
2020 DEEP Legislative Proposals

Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
For more information on regulatory matters, see the current PURA and Siting Council agendas. This information is updated regularly.

INDUSTRY

ISO-NE’s 2020 Wholesale Market Project Plan Now Available
The 2020 plan describes the current status of ISO market initiatives. The work plan is published biannually in summer and winter and allows readers to follow the progress of market projects.

New England’s Forward Capacity Auction Closes with Adequate Power System Resources for 2023-2024
New England’s annual capacity auction for power system resources concluded Monday with sufficient resources to meet peak demand in 2023-2024, and preliminary results indicate the clearing price was the lowest in the auction’s history.  Read ISO-NE’s press release here.

Next Consumer Liaison Group Meeting March 12, Woodstock VT
The next meeting of the Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) will take place on March 12 at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Vermont. The keynote speakers are Chad Farrell, Founder & CEO, Encore Renewable Energy, and Salvatore Minopoli, Vice President, Highview Power. The panel discussion will focus on lessons learned from Vermont’s energy transformation standard. The meeting will also include a presentation from ISO New England. For more information, visit the CLG webpage.

CPES Policy Committee Update: February 4, 2020

This update features policy, regulatory, legislative, and regional developments in Connecticut and New England. The policy updates are compiled by the CPES New Energy Professionals Team. If you are interested in learning more about the New Energy Professionals Committee or if you have ideas for future policy updates, we welcome your input and feedback. Please send comments to Kathryn Dube, CPES Executive Director, via email: kdube@ctpower.org.

In this Update:

  • Sen. Chris Murphy demands utilities ‘take responsibility’ for protecting eligible low-income families from utility shut-offs
  • DEEP/PURA Value of DER Joint Study – New Date Technical Hearing
  • DEEP/PURA Accepting Comments on Value of DER Joint Study
  • ISO Announces Feb 2020 Forward Capacity Market Webinars
  • Listing of Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
  • New England AGs Call Out Power Grid Operator Over Anti-Competitive Practices
  • US EIA Release 2020 Annual Energy Outlook
  • 2019 Sources of Electric Energy in New England

CONNECTICUT

Sen. Chris Murphy demands utilities ‘take responsibility’ for protecting eligible low-income families from utility shut-offs: Hartford Courant
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy told regulators Thursday he doesn’t believe Connecticut’s power companies are complying with an order to insulate thousands of low-income families from utility disconnections during the annual, six-month-long winter protection period — an established program that prohibits disconnections from November to May. Senator Murphy’s letter was filed as part of PURA’s Energy Affordability Grid Modernization Docket (17-12-03RE01).

DEEP/PURA Value of DER Joint Study – New Date Technical Hearing
The agencies have revised the date of the next technical hearing to February 7.  See the notice here and draft agenda here.

DEEP/PURA Accepting Comments on Value of DER Joint Study
The agencies are seeking comment on modeling inputs by February 14, 2020. See the notice here.

ISO Announces Feb 2020 Forward Capacity Market Webinars
ISO Customer Training is hosting three webinars in February on the forward capacity markets:

2020 Legislative Session
The 2020 Legislative Session will convene on Wednesday, February 5th. 
2020 DEEP Legislative Proposals

Upcoming Regulatory Meetings
For more information on regulatory matters, see the current PURA and Siting Council agendas. This information is updated regularly.

INDUSTRY

New England AGs Call Out Power Grid Operator Over Anti-Competitive Practices: WSHU – As part of FERC Docket EL19-90, The Connecticut and Massachusetts Attorneys General filed joint comments with DEEP, OCC and Maine Public Advocate in support of tariff changes to implement a more competitive transmission process. PURA also separately filed comments.

US EIA Release 2020 Annual Energy Outlook
For the first time, the EIA predicts renewables will outpace natural gas by 2050. Read the press release here, and the full report here.

2019 Sources of Electric Energy in New England
The total amount of energy and the sources of energy the New England region used in 2019 to satisfy all residential, commercial, and industrial customer demand are now available on ISO-NE’s website.